By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

ANAHEIM, Calif. – How you say it won’t be as important as what you say, according to All-America City organizers.

“You have a great story – you have three great stories,” Derek Okudo, vice president of the National Civic League, told Lewiston’s team Friday.

“Don’t worry about a few flubs,” he said. “Just tell your stories. That’s what the judges expect.”

It was a welcome message for all the contestants in the All-America City awards.

“We watched tapes of past winners, so we know a little of what to expect,” said Lewiston City Councilor Normand Rousseau. “They all stammered, and stopped. So we know we don’t have to be perfect. I mean, we’re not professional actors up here.”

Lewiston’s delegates endured three practice sessions Friday – two in a cramped room behind the Anaheim Marriott’s grand ballroom and a third on the final stage itself.

Lewiston’s presentation, set in the lobby of the Colisee before a hockey game, touches on three highlights – Lewiston’s newly growing Somali community, its Youth Advisory Council and redevelopment at the Southern Gateway.

And while they needed to be prompted for some of their lines, Okudo gave them high marks.

“Just relax,” he said. “You’ll do fine.”

Odds narrowing

Six of the 34 finalists have already dropped out, according to Aleks Humeyumptewa, spokesman for the National Civic League. They are Miami, Fla., Elmhurst, Ill., Madison, Ind., Greensboro, N.C., Fairview Park, Ohio, and Charleston, S.C.

Humeyumptewa said those cities could not raise enough money to pay for their trip.

“So, in a sense, if you made it this far, your odds of winning went up a bit,” Humeyumptewa told team captains at a briefing Friday morning.

Delegates from the remaining 28 cities swarmed the lobby at the Anaheim Marriott, practicing their lines and building their props.

Judging begins Saturday.

Phyllis Britt, a member of the delegation from North Augusta, S.C., said winning the competition is very important. North Augusta citizens formed a charitable foundation dedicated to economic development goals. Winning the title “All-America City” is one of the top three items on that foundation’s list.

A neighboring town won the title several years ago, she said, and has reaped huge benefits.

“It’s not so much the title itself, but the things you have to do to get there that matter,” she said. The title represents hard working, eager cities that are excited about their futures.

“You can’t say if you get more investment in the community because you win the title, but you can say that the things that make you win make you more attractive as a community,” Britt said.

Pins and pucks

Delegates didn’t keep to themselves, but brush past each other and chatted, swapping stories and wishing each other good luck. Most brought souvenir pins featuring their city’s logo, and they eagerly swapped with their competitors. Some were disappointed that Lewiston brought keepsake hockey pucks instead of pins.

“We wanted to do something just a little different,” said Phil Nadeau, deputy city administrator. “I think these will stand out a little more.”

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